Review by Brenna Dittmer

[title size=”1 to 6″ style=”options: default, sidebar”] Letter Grade: A[/title]

My initial feelings toward Reflektor were that of complete skepticism. Arcade Fire has previously released three albums of sheer brilliance, (Funeral, 2004; Neon Biblel 2007; Grammy award winning The Suburbs, 2011) and I was sure their fourth would be a heartbreaking bust. However, seconds into the opening track, I realized what a complete fool I was to ever doubt them. To put it quite simply, Arcade Fire has done it yet again, and with unavoidable head-bopping, toe-tapping funk.

Reflektor is 75 minutes of greatness in a two-disk album. A lot of the band’s inspiration for this album came from recent years in their touring and experiences in Haiti (the home country of one of the founding singers and of Regine Chassagne, the wife to the other lead vocalist). The Haitian funk and drumbeats make for irresistible jams that fade in and out, evidently on “Here Comes the Night Time”, but also on opening track, “Reflektor” and “Flashbulb Eyes”.  One of the most notable tracks on the album, “Joan of Arc” beautifully balances Arcade Fire’s aspect of punk and keyboard riffs that makes it impossible not to groove around your room, blaring the inspired, intimate lyrics, “You had a vision they couldn’t see so they put you down, but everything that you said would happen, it came around”.

There’s about ten seconds of white noise dividing side one and two, and while some have criticized it, it adds even more romance following the last verse artfully sung in French on “Joan of Arc” from side one. The second side is one of a more mellow tone and has some similar sounds and feels to their Neon Bible album (2007). There’s an emphasis on softer guitar and percussion, and more harmonized vocals. One of the most noteworthy tracks on this side is the David Bowie collaboration, “It’s Never Over (Hey Orpheus)”. Vocally led by Regine Chassagne, the band rocks this song in the most delicate, yet badass way possible.

“Reflektor” packs quintessential elements of Arcade Fire with new grooves that take the entirety of the band to a new level. Do yourself a favor and dedicate some hardcore jam time to this album, and keep an eye out for Reflektor at this year’s Grammys.